Die



Oct. 30, 1945. l P, E, BROOKS 2,388,115

DIE4

Filed March l0, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet. 2

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/Nl/EA/o@ l P. E. BROOKS f 24R MJ-q* AHORA/5 5 4 Patented Oct. 30, 1945 DIE I Percy E. Brooks, Woodridge, N. J., assignor `to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, .New York, N. .Y., a corporationof New York i Application March 10, 1944, Serial No. 525,882

14 Claims; (Cl. 164:---3-1)` Y `invention relates todies, and more particullly to` adjustable dies for .forming articles. e

An object ofthe invention Ais to provide a die which is simple in structure, highly eiiicient, and accurately variable for forming articles. o With this and other objects in View, the inventioneomprises apluralitydof die elements suplported 4for adjustment relative .to each other for use informing articles of various contours.

Other objects and advantages will `be apparent from the following detailed description when conosideredinfconjunction` with the accompanying drawings, wherein o' Fig. 1 .is 1a fragmentary top plan view of the .die

with the` die elements thereof and their 4associated Fix. 6 is a top plan view` of the die showing the kdie elements 'and their associated 4structures in other relative positions to .form another type of =article.

Referring `.new to the'drawings, attention is first :directed to Jigs. lto inclusive. The die strucineludes a base IJ) which .may be 4.disposed upon and securedto a mounting plate of a suitable 4.press (not shown). In suchpresses there are included 'reciprocable .rams for supporting com,- fpanion fdies or punches. The salient vfeature of thisinventionuis .the adjustability vof the die elementstofreadily condition the structure to form articles of various sizes and contours. It would, therefore, be necessary to have companion or .die elements similarly variable or interohangeableto complete the `forming of the :articles `of various sizes and contours. Such `a `structure is disclosed inapplicants copending applicationSerial No. 525,881 filed `March 10, 1944t .A clearance hole yor aperture I I .is formedin the :ibase It ofiafsize sufficient for the largest article `to rlreiformed. A supporting member I2 is dis- 'posed upon thebase i0 and riixed thereto by any suitable means (not shown). groove I4, of thecontour illustrated, extends the full lengthofthesupport I2 and is adapted to receive and .form intertting connection with a tonguelpontion of a `die element I6. An elonigate :aperture -fIfI is formed in the die `element i6 l .Ithmeaded apertures@ is-disposedinthe support SI2 .A longitudinal f atJspaced positions .longitudinally of the groove I4, `to selectively receive the retaining screws 'i9 to securethe die element I6 in anydesired'pOSition relative to the support I 2.

One end of the die Velement I6 is grooved, as at 22, to receive a die element 23, this die element being adjustable the 4groove '2li through the aid of an adjusting screw .24. .This screw 24 is threadedly .carried by the die element |16 and enters the groove .22, as illustrated in Fig. .1, to move the die -element23 to a desired position relative to its associated die element I6. .The lateral movement of the die `element 23 is controlled .by retaining screws 25 threadedly disposed 'in apertures` in the adjacent portion of the dieelement iii,` their ends being receivable in a longitudinal groove r26 of the dieelement 23. The adjustment lof the Vdie element 23 is made after the screws '2'5 are loosened, they serving to retain the die .element againstdisplacement after the adjustment has been completed. The outer portion .of .the die .element 23,Ithat `portion which projects beyond the die element I6, is backed up or supported by an adjustable screw 26 threadedly disposed in an aperture .29 of an arm `313 which is .integral with another die `element 3|.

A similar structure is provided at the opposite lendof the die element I6, where an integral arm y32has a threaded aperture `33 to receive an adjustable'. backing screw 34 to .support or back upa .die element which is identical in `structure to the die element 23 and `is supported in the same man- `ner by the die element 3l that the .die element V23 is `supported by the die element I5. As illustrated, :the -die element 35 is disposed in a groove ..36 of the die `element 3l adjustable into varied `theldie element :3| with .its die' element 35. Sim'i- 1 lar meansis .provided .forsupporting the die element 3l Vthrough the .aid of an Aelongate aperture 43 extending through a torque portion 42 which Visreceivable in a longitudinalgroove -Moi? an adjustablesupportl. Arecessedjportion 451s providedadjacent the aperture I0 to receive the heads of retaining screws 46, their threaded ends being selectively receivable `in threaded apertures 4-I-of the support 44.

`With the .arrangementjof `the die elements I6, '23,"31 and `35 and their rel'ativemovements made possible through ytheir relativemovements made possible through their associated structures, `die .cavities ofvaried Acontours may be formed to -orm articles of various `sizes and contours. It is important, depending upon the-type of material "formed .integral with being used for the forming of the articles, to support the die elements adjacent their forming edges. For this reason provision is made" to selectively receive backing members having'clearance apertures or recesses of varying contours. This 2,388,115 L., f I

means includes a recess 50 in the support I2 to selectively receive backing members of the con-..

tours desired. Only one of such members is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive of thedra wings and is identified by referencelnumeral 5I. The

central portion of this member fills the recess 50,

integral leg portions 52 thereof extending laterally beneath the die elements 23 and 35 to'partially surround the die cavity indicated at' 53. Thus the backing member is heldl in place, as i1- lus't'rated in Figsgfl and V5, between the die element I6 with its associatedelements-23 and-35 and the base I0, and'also between the supports I2andI4. A

. The support 44 rests upon the base-I0 and is movable toward and away from the support I2 in a. fixed path 'controlled by guides 55 which are mounted upon the base l0; The movement of the support 44 measured distances relative to the suD- port I2 may be brought about through the aid of an adjusting screw 56 threadedly receivable in an aperture 51 and controlledthrough the aid of anindicating dial 58 which is movable relative to a'pointer 59.V Thev adjusting screw 56 is supportedin a block 60, iixedly mounted upon the base I9 in a cut-away portion -6 I, as illustrated in Fig. 4, and held against longitudinal movement therein through the aid of collars 62, which are fixed tothe adjusting screw. A groove or cut- 'away portion 64 in the support-44 adapts the supportto straddle the block 60 and Vbe'lurther guided in its adjustment relative to the fixed support I2. f Vl"Means is provided to locate material relative tothe die cavity, thismeans including locating elements or stops 68, of the contour illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, adapted for mounting at selected positions upon a longitudinal support 69 Y' and provided with downwardlyI projecting portions- 10 to extend over a front edge 1I of the 'support' and rest thereagainst. Elongate apertures 12 are provided inthe elements 68 for receiving retaining screws 13 which are receivable in any of a number of threaded apertures 14 disposed at spaced positionsV longitudinallyof the support 69. Through the aid of the threaded apertures 14, the elements 68 may be disposed at varied positions thereon relative to the die cavity v53, further V'adjustments being made possible through the aid of the elongate apertures 12. The

support 69 has leg portions 16 securedy to or each end thereof and vadapted to be fixed to the base I0. VIntegral projec'tions 11 of the leg portions 16 are receivable in elongate recesses or grooves 19 of the base IIIA for interengagement of the leg portions with the 'base to maintain Vthe supportk 69'para1lel with the` Yforming edges of the Velements I6 andl 3l during f adjustment of the support 69 with respect thereto. The grooves 19 are 'I1-shaped in cross-section and adapted to receive'square heads 80 ofV retaining screws 8 I which project upwardly through apertures in the supporting legs 16 and the-supp ortY 69 for securing this structure at any desired `position relative tothe die cavity through the aidof nuts 82 and'washers 83.

. The structure shown in Fig. 6 is identical in levery detailto the structure shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive'except for a backing element'or member 86. This member is of a contour identical with that of the member 5I and is receivable in the recess 50 of the support I2, the difference being i in'f the" dimensions of :the legv portions 81 as compared with the leg portions 52 ofthe member 5I. Otherwise, the structure is the same, illus- ;trating, however, the formation of a die cavity 89 differing in contour to the die cavity 53 through the relative adjustments of the die elements.

16, These adjustments may be readily brought about after the contour desired is determined.

[For example, in readjusting the structure from the relative vpositions of the die elements, as shown in Fig. 1, to form the arrangement illustratedin Fig; 6, .the movable support 44, through the aid of the adjusting screw 56, ismoved its extreme distance to the right, moving with itthe -die element `3I with its associated die element 35.,I- V VWhile in this position thebacking memberv 5I may be removed and the desired back-ing member 86 may be inserted inthe retainingrecess 5I) of the support I2. It is necessary; however, that Yfurther adjustment of the die" elements be made to complete the formation ofthe die cavity 89.` Through the removal of the retaining screws I9 orY the loosening thereof in their respective threaded apertures 20, the die element I6 With-its'asso'ciated die element 2-3 may be moved through the aidv of its tongue portion I5 in the groove -I4 until it Vis located at the desired position on its supportIZ. In a similar manner, the die element 3IV may be adjusted relative to theL movable"support-44vand these die elements may be locked in their respective positions through the aid of their retaining screws VI9 and'46. After vtliis has been accomplished, the die elements 23'and 35 may beladjusted through the aid of their "adjusting screws 24 and 31 to closethe ends of the die cavity. The

necessary adjustment of the retaining screwsl25 'and 28 are made during this interval of adjustment. The backing screws"28 and 34 are also adjusted against their respective die elements-*23 and 35 to complete the support of these die elements. After this has been'accomplished, the location of one or more locating elementsV 68 on the support 69 may be made and furtheradjust- 'ment ofthe support 69 maybe'made possible through movement of theleg portions 1.6 thereof longitudinally of their groove 19..`r Y

1 Although onlytwo arrangements of the `die :elements and their respective supports and-backing members have been illustrated; itis apparent that die cavities of other contourswithin the given limits may be formed for' formingY articles 'of various contours. The-terms formorfo'rming are intended to cover'fa wide' fields as it is possible for the structure shown to be used for various purposes, namely forV notching,wb1ank' ing, shearing, piercing and bending materials into various forms for forming articles. Thus the article formed'through the aid of the die elements andthe cavityconstructedl thereby. may

' be pierced or vblankeci 'or otherwise forced from ments means tosupport the die elmentsffor longitudinal movement 'thereof Arelative 7 to Y` each other, die members cooperating with the die elements to singly form die cavities of varied contours, and means carried by one of the die elements to cause one of the die members to move therewith.

2. A variable die comprising opposing die elements, means to support the die elements for` longitudinal movement thereof relative to each other, and die members mounted for movement relative to each other, and means to secure the die members to their respective die elements to cause the die members to cooperate with their die elements in singly forming die cavities of varied contours.

3. A variable die comprising opposing die elements having apertures therein adjacent opposing ends thereof, means to support the die elements for longitudinal movement thereof relative to each other, a die member disposed in the aperture of each die element, movable therewith and relative thereto to form singly die cavities of varied contours, and means carried by the die elements to secure their respective die members in their selected relative positions.

4. A variable die comprising opposing die elements formed adjacent their opposing end portions for connection with die members, means to support the die elements for longitudinal movement thereof relative to each other, a die member for each die element formed for connection with their respective formed portions and movable therewith and relative thereto to form singly die cavities of varied contours, means carried by the die elements adjacent the said portions thereof to secure their respective die members in their selected relative positions, and means to move the die members relative to their die elements in the said portions.

5. A variable die comprising opposing die elements, means to support the die elements for longitudinal movement thereof relative to each other, die members movable relative to each other and the die elements to cooperate therewith in singly forming die cavities of varied contours, and means carried by the die elements to move their respective die members relative thereto.

6. A variable die comprising opposing die elements, means to support one of the die elements for movement longitudinally and laterally relative to the other die element, and die members movable relative to each other and the die elements to cooperate therewith in singly forming die cavities of varied contours.

7. A variable die comprising opposing die elements, a first die element and a second die element, means to support the first die element for movement relative to the second die element, a support for the second die element movable therewith in one direction relative to the first die element and formed for movement of the second die element thereon in another direction, and die members movable relative to each other and lthe die elements to cooperate therewith in singly forming die cavities of varied contours.

8. A variable die comprising opposing die elements, a rst die element and a second die element, means to support the first die element for movement relative to the second die element, a. support for the second die element movable therewith in one direction relative to the rst die element and formed for movement of the second die element thereon in another direction, means to move the support, and die members movable Cil relative to eachother and the die elements to cooperate therewith in singly forming die cavities of varied contours.

9. A varable die comprising a base having an I aperture therein, opposing die elements, supports therefor disposed on the base and adapted for movement of their die elements thereon into varied positions relative to each other and the said aperture, and die members movable relative to each other and the die elements to cooperate therewith in singly forming die cavities of varied contours adjacent the said aperture.

10. A variable die comprising a base having an aperture therein, opposing die elements, supports therefor disposed on the base and Aadapted for movement of their die elements thereon into varied positions relative to each other and the said aperture, die members movable relative to each other and the die elements to cooperate therewith in singly forming die cavities of varied contours adjacent the said aperture, and a backing member disposed on the base for assisting in supporting certain of the die elements and members adjacent the said aperture.

11. A variable die comprising a base having an aperture therein, opposing die elements, supports therefor disposed on the base and adapted for movement of their die elements thereon into varied positions relative to each other and the said aperture, one of the supports being recessed to receive a backing member, die members movable relative to each other and the die elements to cooperate therewith in singly forming die cavities of varied contours adjacent the said aperture, and a backing member disposed on the recess of the said support for partially covering the said aperture and assisting in supporting certain of the die elements and members.

l2. A variable die comprising a base having' ari aperture therein, opposing die elements, supports therefor disposed on the base and adapted for movement of their die elements thereon into varied positions relative to each otherl and the said aperture, die members movable relative to each other and the die elements to cooperate therewith in singly forming die cavities of varied contours adjacent the said aperture, and means supported at varied positions relative to the die cavity to locate material relative thereto.

4123. A variable die comprising opposing die elements, means to support the die elements for longitudinal movement thereof relative to each other, die members movable relative to each other and the die elements to cooperate therewith in singly forming die cavities of varied contours, a material locating member, and a support therefor adapted for positioning the member at any of a plurality of positions relative to the die cavity.

14. A variable die comprising a base having an aperture therein, opposing die elements, supports therefor disposed on the base and adapted for movement of their die elements thereon into varied positions relative to each other and the said aperture, die members movable relative to each other and the die elements to cooperate therewith in singly forming die cavities of varied contours adjacent the said aperture, a material locating member, and a support therefor adjustably mounted on the base relative to thesaid aperture to locate material singly relative to the die cavities.

PERCY E. BROOKS. 

